Graduation Year

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Child and Family Studies

Major Professor

Raymond Miltenberger, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Committee Member

Sarah Bloom, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Committee Member

Lawrence Schonfeld, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Diego Valbuena, M.A., BCBA

Keywords

behavior analysis, goal setting, physical activity, self-monitoring, swimming

Abstract

Many people in the United States do not engage in the recommended levels of physical activity. Self-management strategies, including self-monitoring and goal setting, are among the interventions that have been used to increase physical activity in adults. Visual feedback has also been incorporated into interventions to increase physical activity. Minimal research has focused on increasing swimming behavior. The current study investigated the effectiveness of self-management strategies to increase swimming activity in adults. An automated recording device (watch) was used to collect data on participants’ swimming behavior. The effect of self-monitoring in the form of a self-graphing intervention to increase swimming activity was evaluated. If self-graphing alone was not effective, goal setting was added to the intervention. Three participants showed an increase in swimming activity when self-graphing was implemented. Two participants showed little or no change in activity across all phases. This study did not include any reinforcement contingencies for engaging in an increase in swimming activity. Future research directions are discussed.

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